Leiter notched a save against the Angels on Wednesday, issuing one walk and striking out two batters over one scoreless and hitless inning.
Closer Luke Weaver was unavailable for a second straight day, and after Devin Williams nearly coughed up a three-run lead while narrowly notching a save Tuesday, manager Aaron Boone went to Leiter in the ninth inning Wednesday with New York clinging to a one-run advantage. Leiter got the job done, working around a two-out walk to record the save while striking out two of the Angels' best hitters (Taylor Ward and Logan O'Hoppe). It was the second save of the season for the right-hander, with his first taking place April 9 versus Detroit. Weaver remains the clear top closer for New York, and Williams figures to be next in line when Weaver is unavailable, so Leiter probably won't have a lot more save chances this season despite his 2.28 ERA and 35:7 K:BB over 23.2 innings on the campaign.
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Yankees' Mark Leiter: Notches sixth hold
Rotowire
Leiter retired all four batters he faced, striking out two, against Texas on Tuesday to earn a hold.
Leiter relieved starter Will Warren with two outs and the bases loaded in the sixth inning and struck out Joc Pederson to escape the jam. The righty reliever returned for the seventh and retired the side in order. Leiter has not allowed a run in six straight outings, though this was his first hold during that span. He's been an important piece in New York's bullpen this season with a 2.75 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 28:5 K:BB over 19.2 frames across 22 games while notching six holds and a save.
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Yankees' Mark Leiter: Collects first save of 2025
Rotowire
Leiter recorded the final out of Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Tigers to record his first save of the season.
He wasn't expected to get any work in when Devin Williams was called upon to protect a 4-0 lead in the ninth inning, but two hits, two walks and a wild pitch led to three runs and forced Leiter onto the mound. The veteran right-hander got the job done on two pitches as he induced a pop-up from Justyn-Henry Malloy. Luke Weaver had worked the eighth inning, so Leiter's usage isn't an indication he's moved up in the Yankees' bullpen hierarchy. Leiter has a 5.79 ERA through 4.2 innings to begin the season, but he's been scored upon in only one of his six appearances, and his 7:2 K:BB is a better reflection of his performance so far in 2025. He has two holds and a win in addition to Wednesday's bonus save.
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Yankees' Mark Leiter: Sharp in spring return
Rotowire
Leiter (back) struck out the side in his lone inning of relief in Saturday's 8-7 Grapefruit League loss to the Phillies.
Leiter made his first appearance since March 6 after a back injury resulted in the Yankees keeping him off the pitching schedule for more than two weeks. The right-hander erased any concern about his health by tossing nine of his 13 pitches for strikes while inducing four swings and misses. He'll likely be ticketed for a middle-relief role with the Yankees to open the season.
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Yankees' Mark Leiter: On track for Opening Day
Rotowire
Leiter (back) said he felt good during his bullpen session Sunday and expects to be ready for Opening Day, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
It was reported earlier Sunday that Leiter didn't throw his live batting practice session as scheduled, but he still ended up taking the mound. The right-hander has been slowed the past few days by the back issue but could be good to go for the start of the season.
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Yankees' Mark Leiter: Doesn't throw bullpen Sunday
Rotowire
Leiter (back) did not throw his scheduled bullpen session Sunday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Leiter was scheduled to pitch against the Tigers on Thursday, but he was scratched due to a back injury. It's unclear whether his absence Sunday morning was due to aggravating the injury. Leiter was traded by the White Sox to the Yankees in late July, and across 21.2 regular-season innings with the Bronx Bombers he posted a 4.98 ERA and 1.71 WHIP.
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Yankees' Mark Leiter: Managing back injury
Rotowire
Leiter didn't pitch as scheduled Thursday against the Tigers due to a back injury, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.
Leiter's injury doesn't seem to be anything too serious, but the Yankees are choosing to be cautious with the righty. He's slated to face hitters in a live batting practice session Sunday, and if all goes well he could return to playing in the Grapefruit League soon.
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Yankees' Mark Leiter: Loses arbitration hearing
Rotowire
Leiter lost his arbitration case against the Yankees on Saturday and will make $2.05 million in 2025, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Leiter posted a 4.98 ERA and 1.71 WHIP after being traded from Chicago to New York at last season's trade deadline. His underwhelming performance in pinstripes likely caused the arbitrators to side with the club and will ultimately result in him making $450,000 less than the $2.5 million he filed for. The 33-year-old righty is expected take on a role in middle relief for New York in 2025.
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Yankees' Mark Leiter: Reinstated from paternity list
Rotowire
The Yankees reinstated Leiter from the paternity list Sunday.
Leiter will be available out of the bullpen for the Yankees' regular-season finale against the Pirates. The 33-year-old reliever has a 4.58 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 83:20 K:BB over 57 innings this season.
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Yankees' Mark Leiter: Shines in extra-inning victory
Rotowire
Leiter (3-4) hit a batter but allowed no hits and notched three strikeouts over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win in relief Sunday versus the Blue Jays.
Leiter entered the contest in the top of the ninth inning with the go-ahead run on first base and struck out Joey Loperfido to end the frame. The contest eventually went into an extra inning, and Leiter returned for the 10th, notching two more strikeouts and working around a two-out hit batsman. The right-hander subsequently was credited for the win after DJ LeMahieu stroked a walk-off single in the bottom of the frame. Since joining the Yankees on July 30, Leiter has allowed one run in four innings while posting a 5:1 K:BB and picking up a hold along with Sunday's victory.
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Yankees' Mark Leiter: Shipped to Bronx
Rotowire
The Yankees acquired Leiter from the Cubs on Tuesday in exchange for infielder Benjamin Cowles (undisclosed) and right-hander Jack Neely, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Leiter recorded 13 holds with a 4.21 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 53:13 K:BB over 36.1 innings for the Cubs, and he's been lights out of late with seven straight scoreless appearances. The right-hander is unlikely to see save chances in New York but should work as part of the bridge to closer Clay Holmes.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Set to be activated on road trip
Rotowire
Leiter (forearm) threw live batting practice Saturday, and manager Craig Counsell said that the right-hander will be activated from the 15-day injured list during the Cubs' upcoming road series against the Orioles, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
Leiter landed on the injured list June 23 due to a right forearm strain. The 33-year-old won't require a rehab assignment, and he could available out of the Cubs' bullpen as soon as Tuesday in Baltimore. Leiter has a 5.34 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 28.2 innings this season.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Throws off mound
Rotowire
Leiter (forearm) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Jared Wyllys of CHGO Sports reports.
Leiter is tracking toward a live batting practice session later this week and a return to the Cubs' bullpen next week. The reliever is eligible for activation July 9, and it sounds like he could be back by then without a rehab assignment.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Placed on 15-day IL
Rotowire
Leiter was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain Sunday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Leiter last appeared in a game Wednesday versus the Giants, surrendering three runs on a hit and two walks over two-thirds of an inning. He'll now likely be sidelined longer than the minimum stay on the injured list considering it's an injury to his throwing arm. In the meantime, Luke Little was called up from Triple-A Iowa to replace Leiter in the major-league bullpen Sunday.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Struggles in loss
Rotowire
Leiter (2-4) allowed three runs on three hits and a walk while retiring just two batters to take the loss Thursday against the Rays. He struck out one.
Chicago starter Justin Steele tossed six scoreless innings, but his effort was quickly wasted by Leiter, who couldn't get out of the seventh. The righty reliever has allowed runs in each of his last two appearances, which has pushed his ERA up from 3.20 to 4.44. Leiter had a sub-4.00 ERA each of the last two seasons for the Cubs, so while he's struggled some lately, his track record suggests that better days will be ahead.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Records first win
Rotowire
Leiter (1-1) retired the only two batters he faced out of the bullpen to earn the win in Monday's 3-1 victory over the Mets.
Starter Jameson Taillon was excellent over 7.1 innings, but the Cubs turned to Leiter to get the last two outs of the eighth. The veteran righty delivered, then scooped up his first win of the year when Christopher Morel hit a go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth. Leiter has been excellent all year, posting a 0.69 ERA and 13 strikeouts across 13 innings. He should continue to work in a setup role ahead of new closer Hector Neris, though he could be next up for saves if Neris falters.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Effective on Opening Day
Rotowire
Leiter tossed 1.2 scoreless innings of relief in Thursday's 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Rangers. He struck out three.
With Justin Steele (hamstring) getting pulled after only 4.2 innings, the Cubs needed some length from their bullpen, and Leiter stepped up. The righty was solid in 2023, and while he should help the team this year, he has limited fantasy upside working in front of Hector Neris and closer Adbert Alzolay.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Blows save in critical loss
Rotowire
Leiter allowed a run on two hits while retiring only one batter to record a blown save in Wednesday's extra-inning loss to Atlanta.
Leiter got a crack at the ninth inning with the Cubs up 4-3, but he allowed a Marcell Ozuna home run to record his fourth blown save of the season. With regular closer Adbert Alzolay (forearm) on the injured list, Leiter has failed to step up, as he now has an ugly 9.45 ERA this month. The Cubs will likely need to turn to Julian Merryweather in save opportunities for the time being considering the magnitude of their next four games.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Records fourth save
Rotowire
Leiter allowed a run on two hits but managed to secure the save in Monday's 7-6 win over the Tigers. He struck out one.
Regular closer Adbert Alzolay pitched each of the last two days, so the Cubs bypassed him for the save opportunity and turned to Leiter. It was the latter's fourth save of the season, though it was his first since June 2, as Alzolay has established himself in the role. Leiter should still serve as a reliable setup option moving forward.
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Cubs' Mark Leiter: Earns another hold Saturday
Rotowire
Leiter tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Orioles. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two.
Leiter covered the seventh and eighth innings, and his efforts earned him his 12th hold of the season. Adbert Alzolay closed things out in the ninth, and it looks like the latter has established himself as the team's preferred closing option. Since Leiter's last save on June 2, he has three holds, while Alzolay has picked up two saves in that span. Leiter still has some fantasy value in deeper leagues, though it looks like Alzolay is the preferred choice for fantasy managers at this point.
